something strange is going on isn't it?

[MrNobodytheNeighbour]

New neighbours moved in a few months ago. A couple and I think 3 children. Lots of stuff was moved in toys etc etc.
Then they went and didn't see anyone for a few days ...never actually saw the mother and children again just saw a man return a few days after
Some parcels arrived which I took in-maybe 4 in the space of a week, picked up by various people all very polite and nice. I assumed relatives.

Then....nothing. Literally nothing. Never see anyone. Never hear anyone. Terraced houses so you always hear front doors closing....nothing.
Had someone knock twice asking if I knew were next door in.
The weird thing is we NEVER see the children, apart from that first moving in day-they never are around at school time morning or aft and were school age. Perhaps they are home schooled I thought?
Never ever in the garden.

Once I stepped outside and the other side of the fence I heard somebody rush back in so there is somebody there. It's just eerily quiet.
We've had by mistake a fair bit of post too and there seem to be a few adults living there if the post is anything to go by. I just put it through the door the first couple of times then with the last three I've knocked but no answer so then posted it.

AIBU to think it's strange?

So let me get this straight, kids moved in next door and you've not seen them for 9-10 months, but you don't think you should report it?!

This is why we have cases like Victoria Climbie and Daniel Pelka.

Definitely report it. It all sounds very odd.

Witness protection programme possibly, any number of other perfectly reasonable explanations possibly, the chance that the house is being used as a front for something illegal highly possible, the chance that it's being sublet, very highly probable, the chance that it's being sublet to illegal immigrants also very highly probable.

Why are you getting so much of their post!? I can understand parcels but how inept is your delivery person to be constantly putting their letters through your door?

And how do you know the post is for adults? Could be that the children have bank accounts/ club subscriptions etc and are receiving post as well as the adults.

Is the post correctly addressed or does it have your number on it? This might be deliberate on their part but does rely on your willingness to keep returning it to them

Or they've taped the letterbox upon purpose? Again, that would indicate an occupation scam.

I'd report it to the council. If they are subletting then they are breaking their tenancy probably and preventing a family who really need a 3 bed home from having one.

Another thing it could be is a benefits scam. They might be in receipt of HB, gone abroad to live and are not paying the rent but keeping the HB and any other benefits for as long as possible before a court summons and eviction notice are issued, which can't be followed up anyway if nobody knows where they are.

You know that you need to report this. Speak to your local PCSO or phone the council to check if there are supposed to be children living there.

If RC they should be going to mass and taking the children to church.

When you say there are several different adults officially registered as living there, are you just assuming that on the basis of the post, or have you checked the electoral register?

I'm itching to move in with you and sort this out. I'd be a great detective 😂

This is so obviously a scam. You need to discuss this with a police officer.
The story about the recent Machester number brought it home to me about how blinkered and stupid people can be. The landlord, despite chemical smells, Windows not being opened for months "squares of curtain-like material cut up, a metal rod in the bath, a chemical smell, the electricity turned off and a smoke alarm disconnected" - then decided that witchcraft was a likely scenario..?!
OP - don't be the person who says "we just thought it was witchcraft" to the BBC when something much worse ends up being revealed. Report.

We have a family near us who I think are Egyptian, they spend most of their time abroad and only come back with the kids for a few weeks every year. The rest of the time the house is empty.

Well a case in point would be Salman Abedi. His parents have been living back in Libya since around 2008 apparently, and yet he and one of his brothers would appear to still be in the council house that was the family home and he's still in receipt of a student loan even though he dropped out last autumn.... Call me cynical but I have a sneaky feeling the council don't actually know that the rest of his family no longer live there and haven't done for the last 9 years.

Ok, I'll get in touch with the housing officer. Same lady for the whole street so I'll call her on Tuesday when they are open

Definitely report it. Housing department as someone mentioned seems like a good idea as they can look at what's being done with the property. Police too on a safe rather than sorry basis. Not just regarding terrorism: children were at that house and have now disappeared from view. That might have an innocent explanation but it also might not.

Call the council housing department and have a chat with them. Tell them what you've told us. Then it's up to them to investigate x Make sure you update us though! x

How strange.

I would definitely have a word with your local police. It all sounds fishy to me

In the best case senario, there is nothing going on except perhaps your hearing is going and all the children are noisily next door. At least your conscience (and nosiness) will be clear if you report it.

I have had some incredible reclusive neighbours over the years (probably avoiding me!) but during a nine month period I have seen or heard enough to know someone is living there. Children are just not that quiet and if ever the window is open, like today, you would be far more likely to hear them.

Agree speak to the Housing Officer I worked in housing and this would be investigated. usually find they put in the right to buy when they can and then sell on for money they may be living somewhere else or subletting I would have definitely investigated this one if the case had landed in my desk.

Just a thought but you said they were Muslim. (Although how you know that I don't know).
At the moment it is Ramadan and I would expect you to hear some noise late at night and early in the morning as people break their fast.
Or they could have gone to a Muslim country for Ramadan

Scatter house, for those still wondering: www.workhouses.org.uk/scatteredhomes/

Snickers they've never actually been there in the 9 or 10 months since they moved in. I don't think it's a Ramadan thing.

As usual on these threads, there are posters hovering and hoping to be able to accuse the OP of being discriminatory.

Of COURSE the whole thing is bloody weird. Are all those saying she is being nosy on another planet?

I assume they are Muslim die to the way the women were dressed (I'm not sure what it's called the full length dress and headscarf)